debate,presidentobamaandmitt romney are doing the same thing, they are playing down their own debating skills. they are taughting the other's talents, the latest poll shows a close gap. karen traverse has more from washington. >> reporter: this campaign has been going on for nearly two years. finally, it is debate season for the nominees. the time when americans seem to really start paying attention. president obama is rehearsing with john kerry while mitt romney is squaring off against rob portman. both have challenges and check lifts. is working on shorter answers and trying to avoid sounding like the professor he was before the white house. democrats say he needs to look strong and forceful and not appear irritated or i am pat. >> they are trying to get him in the mode of being able to answer questions short and to the point. so it is more like his man errisms, style, and the way he comes across. >> reporter: and mitt romney, he has to seem friend li err, after the 47% comments. he needs to show compassion and connect with voters. romney arrived in colorado to continue his

residents do. some of the other hot button issues, 54% said you are voting forbarackobama, 51%said they would vote for same-sex marriage, only 41% said you would vote to expand gambling. remember that electricity's coming up -- election day is coming up november 5th. >>> will he make it to the playoffs? jamie costello joins us now. i guess it depends on how the other teams play. >> that's right. the orioles have got to win, friday, sad, and sunday -- saturday and sunday against the boston red sox. and really the los angeles angels followed by the tampa bay rays. if they lose and the oralioles continue -- it was just a great game. bottom of the first, dave mccloud leads off with a home run. we had an onslaught of home runs tonight. chris davis had two. many muchatfo had two. they have hit 215 on the year. it was a great win. 12-2. orioles had to keep on winning. hopefully the yankees will stop smelling orange in the water. just keep winning and we'll be there. back to you, kelly. >> jamie is sweating out there. let's step out and take a look. clouds are in place and it's muggy and f